A lot happens to Mortimer before the events of this play, though we don’t see much of him in Part 1. He is named as Richard II’s heir before Henry usurps and executes him, and then he is supposedly captured by Glendower and the Welsh rebel forces, but the fact that he marries Glendower’s daughter means that Henry is quick to abandon him as a likely traitor.
In this play, we have a few amusing scenes of Mortimer being utterly unable to communicate with his Welsh wife except via Glendower as a translator, but he is notably invested in the relationship and his wife’s wellbeing. This largely serves as a strong contrast to the relationship between Hotspur and Kate, which has no language barrier but is far less affectionate and understanding.
Mortimer is one of the rebels who does not attend the battle, so he lives to see another day and hear some more of his wife’s lovely Welsh singing.
